Posted by Nicole Skrocki in Home Design

It’s that time of year when loved ones gather to celebrate and enjoy a break from the busyness life brings, and some of our favorite memories are ones shared right at home.

Some families will enjoy piping hot cups of hot chocolate while cozying up in their family rooms to binge watch the best family holiday movies. Others will stay up late and wake up early to create the most decadent meal. Others of us still enjoy a large group gathering to compete in fun family holiday games.

No matter what your holiday traditions are—old or new—we’ve created a list of activities for any family to try this holiday season. You might just find your new annual favorite!

Recipes the Whole Family Can Help Make

Let’s face it—we’re not all chefs by nature. When family or friends are all gathered in the same place, it’s the perfect time to tackle a favorite holiday recipe together!

  • The past decade has brought us some amazing technology to help holiday dinners come together a lot easier! We love this air fryer recipe. Break in that new gift together!
  • Don’t have time to figure out a new or complicated concoction to make before guests arrive? Luckily for you, there are lists of easy-to-make holiday dishes.
  • Who doesn’t love a good cookie-decorating party? Create some examples and let your guests’ imagination run wild as they decorate their cookies! (Need a quick failsafe recipe? We’ve got you covered there, too.)
Kids Baking Holiday Recipe

Holiday Family Photo Ideas

It’s the busiest time of year, and you might have missed out one of your favorite holiday traditions: getting the perfect family photo—but it's not too late!

  • Keeping cozy during the holidays is a must, and a cute way to capture a great family photo is by dressing up in matching family pajamas. Your photos will be fun and festive!
  • If you have traveling to do this holiday, then matching holiday sweaters are a great alternative. Get creative with your sweaters—there are plenty to choose from!
  • Another great family holiday picture idea is to create a DIY photo booth. Create a spectacular backdrop for fun family photos at a low price! If you’re looking to step it up a notch, a selfie ring light creates the perfect lighting and comes with a tripod—perfect for timer photos, so the entire family can get in!

Once your impromptu holiday photos are complete, make sure to share on social media for all to see the fun you and your family created during the holidays!

Family Getting Their Photo Taken at Home

Large Holiday Gatherings

Hosting for a large group over the holidays? Not to worry, we’ve gathered some of the best Christmas holiday entertaining ideas for you!

  • First things first, cleaning the entire home and setting up the space that will work best for the amount of guests you have will make entertaining a breeze when visitors arrive. Read more about how to set up your home for a stress-free holiday visit.
  • Out-of-town guests have traveled plenty of miles prior to the holiday gathering. Make sure these guests are feeling welcome and comfortable upon their arrival by providing ample appetizers, beverages of choice, and maybe even an early present to express your appreciation!
  • Making sure all your guests are entertained can be stressful, but when you bring family holiday games, you are sure to break the ice and get the party started! It’s also a great opportunity to prepare games for kids to keep the children entertained just as much as the adults.
Friends Toasting With Champagne During Holidays

Quiet Holiday Nights Spent at Home

Staying in this holiday season? Entertaining and large holiday parties aren't for everyone. If having a quiet holiday night at home is more your style, you'll love these laid-back and extra-comfy ideas.

  • Queueing up the best family holiday movies, snuggling up with a fuzzy blanket, and sharing holiday cookies or a bowl of fresh popcorn is a great way to enjoy a chill night with your closest loved ones.
  • A craft night with Christmas music playing in the background is the perfect scene for a quiet holiday night at home. If you’re feeling festive, check out these DIY holiday crafts that you can use as seasonal décor!
  • Even the smallest holiday gatherings can make for special memories. Get creative with your dinner menu, such as a seafood feast or create-your-own pizzas! Top it all off with a cozy fire and your beverage of choice—your holiday, your style!
Couple Watching Move at Home

The possibilities are endless this season! Whatever your lifestyle is, or how you prefer to spend your holiday, you are now fully prepared. Now that you know about all the different fun family holiday traditions, you are ready to start creating beautiful memories in your new home this holiday!



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Nicole Skrocki

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Nicole has a passion for real estate; she has over 15 years of professional and personal experience in new home sales. She fully understands the new construction process, as her career started by selling townhomes in the Naperville/Aurora area, and she has personally built new herself. Nicole joined M/I Homes in 2013 as the Internet Sales Manager for the Chicago Division and loves helping customers with their new home search! She is a dedicated listener equipped with a wealth of knowledge to guide new home buyers in the right direction. Nicole’s top priority is customer service: she’s been recognized by M/I Homes as one of the top Internet Sales Managers in the company! When Nicole is not assisting homeowners buy or maintain their home, you can find her spending time with family and friends. Nicole enjoys running and watching her son Nate swim and her daughter Natalie cheer. She has been married to her college sweetheart Nathan for 18 years.

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